EPDR1 up-regulation in human colorectal cancer is related to staging and favours cell proliferation and invasiveness.

The finding of novel molecular markers for prediction or prognosis of invasiveness in colorectal cancer (CRC) constitutes an appealing challenge. Here we show the up-regulation of EPDR1 in a prospective cohort of 101 CRC patients, in a cDNA array of 43 patients and in in silico analyses. EPDR1 encodes a protein related to ependymins, a family of glycoproteins involved in intercellular contacts. A thorough statistical model allowed us to conclude that the gene is significantly up-regulated in tumour tissues when compared with normal mucosa. These results agree with those obtained by the analysis of three publicly available databases. EPDR1 up-regulation correlates with the TNM staging parameters, especially T and M. Studies with CRC cell lines revealed that the methylation of a CpG island controls EPDR1 expression. siRNA knocking-down and overexpression of the gene following transient plasmid transfection, showed that EPDR1 favours cell proliferation, migration, invasiveness and adhesion to type I collagen fibres, suggesting a role in epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Both statistical and functional analysis correlated EPDR1 overexpression with invasiveness and dissemination of tumour cells, supporting the inclusion of EPDR1 in panels of genes used to improve molecular subtyping of CRC. Eventually, EPDR1 may be an actionable target.

Detection of muscle gap by L-BIA in muscle injuries: clinical prognosis.

Sport-related muscle injury classifications are based basically on imaging criteria such as ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without consensus because of a lack of clinical prognostics for return-to-play (RTP), which is conditioned upon the severity of the injury, and this in turn with the muscle gap (muscular fibers retraction). Recently, Futbol Club Barcelona's medical department proposed a new muscle injury classification in which muscle gap plays an important role, with the drawback that it is not always possible to identify by MRI. Localized bioimpedance measurement (L-BIA) has emerged as a non-invasive technique for supporting US and MRI to quantify the disrupted soft tissue structure in injured muscles. OBJECTIVE: To correlate the severity of the injury according to the gap with the RTP, through the percent of change in resistance (R), reactance (Xc) and phase-angle (PA) by L-BIA measurements in 22 muscle injuries. MAIN RESULTS: After grouping the data according to the muscle gap (by MRI exam), there were significant differences in R between grade 1 and grade 2f (myotendinous or myofascial muscle injury with feather-like appearance), as well as between grade 2f and grade 2g (myotendinous or myofascial muscle injury with feather and gap). The Xc and PA values decrease significantly between each grade (i.e. 1 versus 2f, 1 versus 2g and 2f versus 2g). In addition, the severity of the muscle gap adversely affected the RTP with significant differences observed between 1 and 2g as well as between 2f and 2g. SIGNIFICANCE: These results show that L-BIA could aid MRI and US in identifying the severity of an injured muscle according to muscle gap and therefore to accurately predict the RTP.

Individual Muscle use in Hamstring Exercises by Soccer Players Assessed using Functional MRI.

This study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to compare individual muscle use in exercises aimed at preventing hamstring injuries. Thirty-six professional soccer players were randomized into 4 groups, each performing either Nordic hamstring, flywheel leg curl, Russian belt or conic-pulley exercise. MRIs were performed before and immediately after a bout of 4 sets of 8 repetitions. Pre-post exercise differences in contrast shift (T2) were analyzed for the long (BFLh) and short head (BFSh) of biceps femoris, semitendinosus (ST), semimembranosus (SM) and gracilis (GR) muscles. Flywheel leg curl increased (P<0.001) T2 of GR (95%), ST (65%), BFSh (51%) and BFLh (14%). After the Nordic hamstring, GR (39%), ST (16%) and BFSh (14%) showed increased T2 (P<0.001). Russian belt and conic-pulley exercise produced subtle (P<0.02) T2 increases of ST (9 and 6%, respectively) and BFLh (7 and 6%, respectively). Russian belt increased T2 of SM (7%). Among exercises examined, flywheel leg curl showed the most substantial hamstring and GR muscle use. However, no single exercise executed was able to increase T2 of all hamstring and synergist muscles analyzed. It is therefore suggested that multiple exercises must be carried out to bring in, and fully activate all knee flexors and hip extensors.

A New Surgical Model of Skeletal Muscle Injuries in Rats Reproduces Human Sports Lesions.

Skeletal muscle injuries are the most common sports-related injuries in sports medicine. In this work, we have generated a new surgically-induced skeletal muscle injury in rats, by using a biopsy needle, which could be easily reproduced and highly mimics skeletal muscle lesions detected in human athletes. By means of histology, immunofluorescence and MRI imaging, we corroborated that our model reproduced the necrosis, inflammation and regeneration processes observed in dystrophic mdx-mice, a model of spontaneous muscle injury, and realistically mimicked the muscle lesions observed in professional athletes. Surgically-injured rat skeletal muscles demonstrated the longitudinal process of muscle regeneration and fibrogenesis as stated by Myosin Heavy Chain developmental (MHCd) and collagen-I protein expression. MRI imaging analysis demonstrated that our muscle injury model reproduces the grade I-II type lesions detected in professional soccer players, including edema around the central tendon and the typically high signal feather shape along muscle fibers. A significant reduction of 30% in maximum tetanus force was also registered after 2 weeks of muscle injury. This new model represents an excellent approach to the study of the mechanisms of muscle injury and repair, and could open new avenues for developing innovative therapeutic approaches to skeletal muscle regeneration in sports medicine.

Facial Video-Based Photoplethysmography to Detect HRV at Rest.

Our aim is to demonstrate the usefulness of photoplethysmography (PPG) for analyzing heart rate variability (HRV) using a standard 5-min test at rest with paced breathing, comparing the results with real RR intervals and testing supine and sitting positions. Simultaneous recordings of R-R intervals were conducted with a Polar system and a non-contact PPG, based on facial video recording on 20 individuals. Data analysis and editing were performed with individually designated software for each instrument. Agreement on HRV parameters was assessed with concordance correlations, effect size from ANOVA and Bland and Altman plots. For supine position, differences between video and Polar systems showed a small effect size in most HRV parameters. For sitting position, these differences showed a moderate effect size in most HRV parameters. A new procedure, based on the pixels that contained more heart beat information, is proposed for improving the signal-to-noise ratio in the PPG video signal. Results were acceptable in both positions but better in the supine position. Our approach could be relevant for applications that require monitoring of stress or cardio-respiratory health, such as effort/recuperation states in sports.

Effects of muscle injury severity on localized bioimpedance measurements.

Muscle injuries in the lower limb are common among professional football players. Classification is made according to severity and is diagnosed with radiological assessment as: grade I (minor strain or minor injury), grade II (partial rupture, moderate injury) and grade III (complete rupture, severe injury). Tetrapolar localized bioimpedance analysis (BIA) at 50 kHz made with a phase-sensitive analyzer was used to assess damage to the integrity of muscle structures and the fluid accumulation 24 h after injury in 21 injuries in the quadriceps, hamstring and calf, and was diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The aim of this study was to identify the pattern of change in BIA variables as indicators of fluid [resistance (R)] and cell structure integrity [reactance (Xc) and phase angle (PA)] according to the severity of the MRI-defined injury. The % difference compared to the non-injured contralateral muscle also measured 24-h after injury of R, Xc and PA were respectively: grade I (n = 11; -10.4, -17.5 and -9.0%), grade II (n = 8; -18.4, -32.9 and -16.6%) and grade III (n = 2; -14.1, -52.9 and -43.1%), showing a greater significant decrease in Xc (p < 0.001). The greatest relative changes were in grade III injuries. However, decreases in R, that indicate fluid distribution, were not proportional to the severity of the injury. Disruption of the muscle structure, demonstrated by the localized determination of Xc, increased with the severity of muscle injury. The most significant changes 24 h after injury was the sizeable decrease in Xc that indicates a pattern of disrupted soft tissue structure, proportional to the severity of the injury.

Can local corticosteroid injection in the retrocalcaneal bursa lead to rupture of the Achilles tendon and the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle?

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to explain the cause-effect relationship in three patients who reported combined ruptures of the Achilles tendon and the gastrosoleus complex 6 months after they had received corticosteroids injections for the management of retrocalcaneal bursitis. METHODS: Three cryopreserved cadavers (three men, three left legs) were examined to assess the anatomic connection between the retrocalcaneal bursa and the Achilles tendon (distal and anterior fibers). Blue triptan medium contrast was injected. RESULTS: An unexpected connection between the retrocalcaneal bursa and the anterior fibers of the Achilles tendon was found in all instances. CONCLUSIONS: Local corticosteroid injection of the retrocalcaneal bursa may help the symptoms of retrocalcanear bursitis, but pose a risk of Achilles tendon rupture. This risk-benefit has to be taken into account when corticosteroid injections are prescribed to professional and high-level athletes.

Localized BIA identifies structural and pathophysiological changes in soft tissue after post-traumatic injuries in soccer players.

Localized bioimpedance (BIA) was measured with a single frequency phase-sensitive analyzer at 50 kHz in three post-traumatic types of injuries on four professional soccer players: (1) myositis ossificans, (2) intramuscular seroma and (3) trochanteric (hip) bursitis. Normal reference value (no injury) was obtained from the contra lateral not injured limb at a mirror-like location of the injury. The relative variations resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) at the time of injury was confronted with the not injured values. Relative variations between acute measurements and post medication ones on intramuscular seroma and bursitis have been computed. In intramuscular seroma and trochanteric bursitis we have obtained a percent of change between injury data and after medical intervention. On myositis ossificans, localized BIA showed a 7-8 % decrease in Xc whereas the percent of change of R was negligible (1 %). These percent of changes are in concordance with histological evidence. In the case of a presence of seroma or the lower thigh and trochanteric bursitis, the soft tissue cavity accumulates fluid. Post-injury localized BIA, relative with respect to non-injured side, confirmed sizeable soft tissue destruction evidenced by 50 % decrease of Xc and 24-31 % decrease of R due to interstitial fluid accumulation. Once the seroma and the blood in the bursitis was removed the localized the immediate post-injury BIA parameters increased as follows: a) intramuscular seroma + 10 % on R and + 74 % of Xc; b) trochanteric bursitis + 20 % of R and +24 % of Xc. Localized BIA other than classifying soft tissue injuries, can be useful to understand the pathophysiology and structural impairments of other kind of injuries and to understand their behavior.

Localized bioimpedance to assess muscle injury.

Injuries to lower limb muscles are common among football players. Localized bioimpedance analysis (BIA) utilizes electrical measurements to assess soft tissue hydration and cell membrane integrity non-invasively. This study reports the effects of the severity of muscle injury and recovery on BIA variables. We made serial tetra-polar, phase-sensitive 50 kHz localized BIA measurements of quadriceps, hamstring and calf muscles of three male football players before and after injury and during recovery until return-to-play, to determine changes in BIA variables (resistance (R), reactance (Xc) and phase angle (PA)) in different degrees of muscle injury. Compared to non-injury values, R, Xc and PA decreased with increasing muscle injury severity: grade III (23.1%, 45.1% and 27.6%), grade II (20.6%, 31.6% and 13.3%) and grade I (11.9%, 23.5% and 12.1%). These findings indicate that decreases in R reflect localized fluid accumulation, and reductions in Xc and PA highlight disruption of cellular membrane integrity and injury. Localized BIA measurements of muscle groups enable the practical detection of soft tissue injury and its severity.

Heart rate variability analysis using a seismocardiogram signal.

Seismocardiography is a simple and non invasive method of recording cardiac activity from the movements of the body caused by heart pumping. In this preliminary study we use a smartphone to record this acceleration and estimate the heart rate. We compare the heart rate variability parameters from the seismocardiogram and ECG reference signal. The results show a great similarity and are strongly influenced by the instability in the sampling frequency of the device. The differences between RR series are lower than 10 ms.

Estudio seroepidemiológico del virus respiratorio sincitial bovino en el municipio de Montería, Colombia / Seroepidemiological study of the bovine respiratory sincitial virus in the municipality of Monteria, Colombia

Objetivo. El propósito de esta investigación fue realizar un estudio seroepidemiológico para detectar anticuerpos específicos contra el Virus Respiratorio Sincitial Bovino (BRSV) mediante la técnica comercial de ELISA (Bio-X ® BRSV Elisa Kit, Bruselas, Bélgica), con el fin de demostrar de manera indirecta, la presencia y circulación del VRSB en el municipio de Montería, Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se recolectaron 163 muestras de sangre (137 de hembras y 26 de toros) de animales con antecedentes de infertilidad, pertenecientes a 28 fincas, los cuales provenían de 4 diferentes zonas equidistantes dentro del municipio. Todas las muestras fueron seleccionadas al azar. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo con los datos serológicos obtenidos de cada animal e interpretándolos con las variables: raza, edad, zona, tipo de explotación, sexo y alteraciones reproductivas. Para determinar la asociación entre seropositividad y cada una de las variables se utilizó la prueba de c2. No hubo diferencias significativas para ninguna de las variables analizadas. Resultados. Se detectaron anticuerpos en 22 de los animales seleccionados, lo que correspondió al 13% del total muestreado. Conclusiones. Este hallazgo constituye la demostración indirecta de la presencia del VRSB en el municipio de Montería, lo que sugiere la necesidad de estudios adicionales para determinar su participación en síndromes respiratorios y problemas reproductivos; de comprobarse sus implicaciones clínicas en hatos bovinos de esta región, sería necesario implementar medidas adecuadas para su control y prevención.

Strength and endurance in elite football players.

We aimed to improve the physical capacity of a top-level elite football team during its pre-season by implementing a maximal strength and high-intensity endurance training program. 21 first league elite football players (20-31 yrs, height 171-194 cm, mass 58.8-88.1 kg) having recently participated in the UEFA Champions' League, took part in the study. Aerobic interval-training at 90-95% of maximal heart rate and half-squats strength training with maximum loads in 4 repetitions × 4 sets were performed concurrently twice a week for 8 weeks. The players were not familiar with maximal strength training as part of their regular program. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2max)) increased 8.6% (1.7-16.6) (p<0.001), from 60.5 (51.7-67.1) to 65.7 (58.0-74.5) mL · kg (-1) · min (-1) whereas half-squat one repetition maximum increased 51.7% (13.3-135.3) (p<0.001), from 116 (85-150) to 176 (160-210) kg. The 10-m sprint time also improved by 0.06 s (0.02-0.16) (p<0.001); while counter movement jump improved 3.0 cm (0.1-6.2) (p<0.001), following the training program. The concurrent strength and endurance training program together with regular football training resulted in considerable improvement of the players' physical capacity and so may be successfully introduced to elite football players.

Assessment and follow-up of muscle injuries in athletes by bioimpedance: preliminary results.

Mono-frequency (50 kHz) whole-body and segmental bioimpedance is measured before sport training in 14 high performance athletes. The athletes are classified in two groups according to the team sport: football and basketball. Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) method is used to obtain the individual whole-body impedance and 6 segmental impedance vectors in the main muscular groups in the lower-limbs. The whole-body vector is analyzed in the tolerance ellipses of the reference population. Individual impedance vector components are standardized by the height H of the subject, (R/H and Xc/H) to obtain the impedance vector (Z/H) of each segment. The hypotheses of the study are: 1) Not all the sports have the same pattern of bioimpedance vector by muscle group. 2) In elite well trained athletes their muscle groups are symmetrical (right and left sides), thus each athlete is its own reference for future comparisons. 3) We expect a change in the two components of bioimpedance vector (R/H and Xc/H) in front of a muscle injury. In order to compare the differences between the complex Z/H vector (R/H, Xc/H) we use Hotelling's T2 test. Preliminary results show a significant difference (P < 0.05) in bioimpedance vectors between groups according to the team sport, and also between normal muscle condition and after muscle injury producing hyper-hydration.

Caracterización biológica dedos aislados de Leptospiraspp procedentes de pacientes colombianos con síndrome de Weil

Leptospirosis en el humano o síndrome de Weil se caracteriza por ictericia progresiva, hemorragias de curso variable, insuficienciarenal o compromiso pulmonar (1). A pesar de los estudios realizados en algunos modelos animales sobre patogenicidad y virulencia de aislados de Leptospira, procedentes de casos humanos (2,3),se desconoce la virulencia y patogenicidad deaislados procedentes de pacientes colombianos.

Contextualización de las zoonosis bacterianas y virales transmitidas por roedores / Contextualization of bacterial and viral zoonoses transmitted by rodents

Hace un poco más de 3 años, registramos dentro del postgrado de biología de la Universidad de Antioquia, la línea de investigación en zoonosis emergentes y reemergentes; motivados por los, en aquel entonces, recientes eventos, que aparentemente involucraban la transmisión de Hantavirus desde roedores (1,2), e inspirado por la experiencia recién adquirida (finales del 2004), en investigación de Arenavirus y otros virus asociados con fiebres hemorrágica en laboratorios de Estados Unidos (Universidad de Wisconsin e Instituto de Virología Humana en Baltimore, Maryland (3), nos vimos estimulados a formular y proponer, en convenio con el Instituto Colombiano de Medicina Tropical (ICMT-CES), uno de los primeros estudios de Leptospirosis en roedores urbanos en Medellín (4), y más tarde, también con el ICMT y el laboratorio de Inmuno-virología, el estudio de Hantavirus, Arenavirus y Leptospira en roedores urbanos y silvestres y en humanos de la región de Urabá en Antioquia.

Ordered transcriptional factor recruitment and epigenetic regulation of tnf-alpha in necrotizing acute pancreatitis.

Tauhe expression of the critical initiator cytokine TNF-alpha was strongly upregulated in vivo in acute necrotic pancreatitis (AP) in rodents and in vitro in TNF-alpha activated acinar AR42J cells. Upregulation of tnf-alpha, inos, icam-1 and il-6 occurred both in TNF-alpha receptor 1 and 2 knock-out mice, but not in TNF-alpha knock-out mice, in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that transcriptional factors (ELK-1, SP1, NF-kappaB and EGR-1) and chromatin modification complexes (HDAC1, HDAC2, GCN5, PCAF and CBP) were recruited and/or released from the promoter in a strictly ordered mechanism. Activation of tnf-alpha gene was also accompanied by an ordered increased level of histone H3K9, H3K14 and H3K18-acetylation and H3K4 methylation, as well as H4K5 acetylation. A better knowledge of the molecular mechanisms that control tnf-alpha gene regulation will provide deeper understanding of the initiation and development of the inflammatory processes occurring in acute pancreatitis triggered by TNF-alpha cytokine.

Comparison of Omega Wave System and Polar S810i to detect R-R intervals at rest.

The present study was performed to compare R-R interval data and heart rate variability indices obtained from the Polar S810i and the Omega Wave Sport System for a total of 96 adults in a supine position. Data were simultaneously recorded with the Polar S810i and the Omega Wave Sport System and processed by unique software. Bland-Altman analysis for the R-R intervals shows minimal bias for free and paced breathing. No significant differences were observed for heart rate variability indices derived from the signal from both devices, except for the power of the high frequency band and the acceleration changes index during either free or paced breathing. Coefficients of correlations were all above 0.96. These data suggest that both systems are valid to record R-R interval signals and to obtain a valid analysis of heart rate variability. However, Omega Wave Sport System enables data to be collected without any artifacts making the analysis of heart rate variability easier than the analysis of Polar S810i. Nevertheless, Polar S810i continues to be more practical in clinical and applied situations due to the affordability of the device.

PAP1 signaling involves MAPK signal transduction.

Pancreatitis-associated protein 1 (PAP1) belongs to the Reg family of secretory proteins. Several important biological roles have been attributed to PAP1 but the signaling pathways activated by this protein remain only partially understood. Here, we describe the intracellular pathways triggered by PAP1 in a pancreatic acinar cell line. Taking advantage of the fact that PAP1 induces its own transcription, we performed ChIP assays to analyze the recruitment of transcriptional factors on its promoter. Our results show that PAP1 increased the transactivation activity of pap1 and the binding on its promoter of the nuclear factors C/EBPbeta, P-CREB, P-ELK1, EGR1, STAT3, and ETS2, which are downstream targets of MAPK signaling. p44/42, p38, and JNK MAPKs activity increased after PAP1 treatment. In addition, pharmacological inhibition of these kinases markedly inhibited the induction of pap1 mRNA. Taken together, these results indicated that the mechanism of PAP1 action involves the activation of the MAPK superfamily.

Asociación entre la presencia de Helicobacter pylori y patología gástrica detectadas por endoscopía / Association between the presence of Helicobacter pylori and gastric pathology detected by endoscopy

Con el objetivo de determinar la relación que existe entre la presencia de Helicobacter pylori en biopsia con las patologías gásticas detectadas por endoscopias, se realizó la presente investigación. Para ello se recopilaron datos de 1468 pacientes que se sometieron a este procedimiento y a quienes se les realizó biopsia gástrica en busca de la bacteria. La recolección de datos se efectuó por consulta de los registros médicos de los pacientes evaluados por los gastroenterólogos que colaboraron con el presente estudio y se obtuvo información acerca: edad, género, diagnóstico y presencia o ausencia de Helicobacter pilory en la biopsia realizada. Del total de 1468 pacientes, se encontró que 536 (36.5%) fueron hombres y 932 (63.5%) mujeres.

Seroprevalencia del virus de la Leucosis viral bovina en animales con trastornos reproductivos de Montería / Seroprevalencia of bovine leukemia virus in animals with reproductive problems in Monteria

Objetivo. Determinar la seroprevalencia de Leucosis Viral Bovina (LVB) en animales contrastornos reproductivos. Materiales y métodos. Se recolectaron 137 muestras de sangrede hembras con antecedentes de infertilidad, pertenecientes a 28 fincas distribuidas en elmunicipio de Montería; adicionalmente, se obtuvieron muestras al azar de 26 torospertenecientes a las mismas fincas que fueron analizadas para anticuerpos contra LVB. Latécnica serológica empleada fue la prueba de ELISA. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo tabulandola información con datos de seropositividad y seronegatividad obtenidos de cada animal; losresultados se interpretaron de acuerdo a las variables: raza, edad, sexo, zona, tipo deexplotación y evento o problema reproductivo detectado. Para determinar la asociaciónentre seropositividad y cada una de las variables se utilizó la prueba de χ2. Resultados. Laspruebas arrojaron una seroprevalencia del 21% para LVB. No se encontraron diferenciassignificativas de prevalencia asociadas a las variables raza, edad o estado reproductivo delos animales (p≥0.05), pero si entre la presencia de anticuerpos contra LVB y las variableszona, tipo de explotación y sexo. Conclusiones. Se demuestra la circulación del virus de laLVB en Montería, (Colombia). Se confirma la importancia de implementar un programa decontrol y prevención de la diseminación de la infección, con el fin de evitar las pérdidaseconómicas asociadas, y dentro de lo posible, la eliminación de los especímenes seropositivospara lograr la erradicación de la infección en esta zona del país.